Question About Collector Grade Wood

I've noticed something lately about CMP Collector Grade rifles. What separates them from, say Correct Grades, is the wood. For that matter, SG Specials prices are because of the wood, too. That said, in the past year or so, I've seen 8-10 Collector Grade rifles for sale on the net, and at gunshows. What is becoming apparent, at least to me, is that the appearance of the wood doesn't always look like Collector Grade wood. It still looks nice, but really not different than wood on Correct Grade rifles. Anyone else notice it, or is it just me? The only way I would get one of these, would be from CMP directly. Once it passes through other hands, who knows what might happen.
Charlie

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Originally Posted by Charlie59

I've noticed something lately about CMP Collector Grade rifles. What separates them from, say Correct Grades, is the wood. For that matter, SG Specials prices are because of the wood, too. That said, in the past year or so, I've seen 8-10 CG rifles for sale on the net, and at gunshows. What is becoming apparent, at least to me, is that the appearance of the wood doesn't always look like CG wood. It still looks nice, but really not different than wood on CG rifles. Anyone else notice it, or is it just me? The only way I would get one of these, would be from CMP directly. Once it passes through other hands, who knows what might happen.
Charlie

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I think I missed something. You say it doesn't look like CG wood but not really different than wood on CG rifles ?
i

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Originally Posted by latigo 1

I think I missed something. You say it doesn't look like CG wood but not really different than wood on CG rifles ?
i

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The way I wrote it, doesn't make sense to me, either! I'll correct it in a minute, but what I meant is that some of the wood I've seen lately, on Collector Grade rifles isn't any different than wood on Correct Grade rifles. It should be, IMO. A guy had a Collector Grade HRA for sale on CMPs' site not too long ago. The stock was super nice, and I believe he got close to 4K for it.
Charlie

The fact about all the jargon of Collector, correct, unissued etc is that they are just words that dont really mean anything. The proof is in what the gun looks like and what condition you rate it personally to be in, which will in turn constitute what you are willing to pay. Some of the Corrects we are seeing now are mint 99% guns with almost no wear, whereas some of the "collector" grades of years past are nowhere near as nice as todays "corrects". Its all very subjective and not exactly an exact science.
You have also made a very good point about CMP certificates, if you didnt get it yourself, who knows what has been done to the gun, so they arent worth much to me(unless they are mine originally).

In years past, the Collectors were distinguished by the fact that CMP had made no changes in the rifle once it came into their possession. That meant, when I asked, that no parts were substituted and the rifles were essentially as delivered to what authority issued them (or didn't issue them). Whether that is true, that is what CMP said at the time of the last sales.

Correct Grades may, in fact, be every bit as good as a Correct, but require some work, like substituting a better looking stock or some internals to make them "correct." Again, that was my understanding. And, yes, they were superb rifles, with excellent throat and muzzle numbers and nearly perfect park. I have several of these and they are only lightly dinged on the wood and perfect in terms of metal. I tend to shop carefully and be pretty picky in my selection, but I always saw more rifles like mine on the shelves, so I know there were fairly good numbers.

A word on collecting these rifle though.....buy them now before they disappear. You cannot believe the howls of anguish from those who delayed in the last sale of Collectors. "Everybody go one except me" was commonly heard across the forums along with complaints about delaying too long. So, don't delay if these are still available. Just a little advice from someone who has been collecting for a while.

The whole question of what CMP does to guns has been debated before. The saddest story involves about 40 late HRAs that appeared nearly new but had a couple of SA parts on them. Although research proved that these parts were correct, all 40 were returned to have HRA parts substituted. CMP complied because it wants to keep customers happy. IMHO, a CMP certificate is only proof that CMP sold the gun, whatever else is written on it is uncertain.

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Originally Posted by bob seijas

The whole question of what CMP does to guns has been debated before. The saddest story involves about 40 late HRAs that appeared nearly new but had a couple of SA parts on them. Although research proved that these parts were correct, all 40 were returned to have HRA parts substituted. CMP complied because it wants to keep customers happy. IMHO, a CMP certificate is only proof that CMP sold the gun, whatever else is written on it is uncertain.

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+1! Plus, don't forget that the recent influx of near-new SA & HRA M1s from Greece has really "raised the bar" as far as the quality of the high-end CMP rifles. Collector Grade M1s from years ago can be found in almost any condition, form near-new to really ratty. The CMP has always claimed that Collector Grades were sold in "as-received" original condition, while the recently added Correct Grade rifles are pretty much built up by CMP armorers and are unlikely to be original--still a great deal though.

The Correct Grade M1s offered by the CMP at the recent GCA Convention in Phoenix were showing lots more wear on the wood than those I saw at the CMP South Store in May of 2010. Still perfect metal, but dinged-up stocks. Get the nice ones while you still can.